Nota Bene:

Time units: Astrosecond = 0.283 seconds; Breems = 8.3 minutes; Joor = 1 hour; Mega-cycle = 93 hours; Orn = 13 days; Meta-cycle = 13 months; Vorn = 83 years

Length units: Klik - 1 kilometer; Mechanometer = 1 meter

Italics: scene taking place in the past

'Text': thoughts of a character

(Text): discussion through comm.-links


Chapter 12: Family squabbles (2)

Forward Operational Headquarters 0025 of the Earth Resistance Force

Medical Repair Bay # 32

"We should allow him some rest. He's certainly exhausted," Ratchet decreed, gently pushing Mirage and Perceptor out.

He glanced at Starscream, making sure that he was deep in recharge. The Chief Medic Officer had an idea of the Seeker's feelings after what they had revealed to him. Not the whole truth, of course, but enough to destroy what appeared to be the only goal in his life: hating Megatron for his 'crime'. He also knew that Starscream nursed a special hatred towards repair bays. Hook had once told him that the Seeker, during his worst crisis of paranoia, avoided such places even if he was badly damaged. And when he was compelled to go there, the Decepticon Air Commander remained online while the Constructicons carried on the repairs. His fear that the Decepticon leader got rid of him to the favor of a moment of weakness was probably responsible for this self-inflicted torture.

"Is it really appropriate to leave him alone?" Perceptor wondered, throwing one last anxious look to the Seeker over the medic's shoulder.

"He's already in recharge; we have to grant him some rest. Imagine his shock and his confusion after all what we told him."

"But... I could stay with him, and keep watch. You know me; I am discreet as to become invisible!" Mirage reminded him.

"I'm the doctor here. You did a great job, and I thank you for that. But when I tell you to leave, and to let my patient take a rest... just leave. Is that clear?" Ratchet growled, pushing his two friends out. He followed them, closing the door behind him. "He's totally harmless," he assured.

O

Starscream waited a few moments before powering on his optics. Slowly, he managed to get back into a sitting position, and then scanned the repair area to make sure he was alone. He wasn't completely; in fact, he could feel some agitation in the other rooms of the medbay, and realized he had been placed in solitary confinement.

"Autobots... They are so naive, so easily fooled," he whispered.

He put down a foot, then the second, before getting up with difficulty. He managed to stand, trembling, noting that his balance was precarious, but sufficient to allow him to escape from this grim place.

Not far from the medical repair bay

"I've already told you: stop following me!" Skywarp growled at the Insecticon.

The small Transformer didn't even bother to answer him, and just grinned; it was at least the twentieth time, if the purple Seeker hadn't lost the count. The exact number of times he had asked him to leave. "I hate you!" he spat, running out of patience.

"I hate you too... too!"

Skywarp took his response worse than a punch in the face. Who did this little upstart think he was!?

"I'll tear your vocal processor, and make you eat it!" he yelled, ready to grab the Insecticon by the antennae and put into execution his threat.

He held back a torrent of insults and threats when he noticed a colorful Seeker walking in their direction. But something was clearly not well with Starscream; instead of standing straight, the head and the wings held high, the Seeker stood leaning sideways, pressing against the wall to walk, and was staring at the ground.

"Starscream, are you good?'' Leaving aside his anger against the Insecticon, Skywarp reduced the distance with his Air Commander, and stopped before him. "Hey! Screamer! It looks like you have been smashed by Omega Supreme!" he joked before placing a hand on a red shoulder vent. "No, really... Are you good?''

Skywarp was startled when Starscream's optics shone an ominous red glow.

"Don't stand in my way! I don't need your help!" the Seeker barked.

"But..."

"Silence! I told you to let me go!"

Skywarp detailed his wing mate from head to foot, convinced that something was wrong with him. Not knowing much to do or say, he threw a sideways glance at Shrapnel, and found that the Insecticon was watching the Seeker with the same attention.

"Well, if that's what you want... But it looks like you're in a bad shape," he finally replied, stepping back to let a free passage to Starscream. "You should have the medical team examine you..."

"Mind your own business!"

Starscream resumed walking slowly, swaying slightly as if each step was threatening to destroy his precarious balance. Shrapnel and Skywarp watched him walk away in silence, until he disappeared at a corner of a hallway.

"What's happening with him... him? We let him leave without doing anything... anything?"

"I don't know. He looks like the good old Screamer, Mister Paranoia with his legendary bad temper, the sociopath who's just good to throw harsh words in the face of his fellow soldiers," Skywarp growled before letting go a deep sigh. "Crap! I hate him when he's such a douche bag!"

He fell silent for a long moment, still deep in thoughts.

"Skywarp… warp?"

"He's really in a bad shape, but has clearly not intend to rest as he took the opposite direction of his quarters... I wonder where he's going," he muttered in a low voice, as if talking to himself. "I better warn the guys of the medical team."

Dedicated to this new mission, the black Seeker walked to the repair bay a little quicker than before, with a silent Shrapnel on his heels.

O

"I have to see Megatron! I have to ask him the question!" Starscream kept repeating like a mantra, while he was resting against the wall.

The story that the Autobots had told him was beyond belief. All that he had considered the truth about Megatron was simply a lie, on which he had based his life. This achievement should have destroyed him, but it was the opposite that was happening. It was a kind of epiphany; he was again hoping to see some of his dreams come true.

But before indulging himself in the foolish hope that his relationship with Megatron could be restored, he wanted to hear from the warlord's lips that he was innocent of the murders of Shootingstar and Sunstorm.

Launch pad #22

"What a terrible waste of time and energy," Skyfire growled, scanning the ruins of the launch pad.

"And it's even more disheartening when one considers that this platform was perfect for takeoff for long distance missions to Asia. Now we will have to take-off from the launch pad #35, ten kliks from here!" Dirge complained, shaking his head with irritation.

"This is true. Perhaps Prime should explain in more explicit terms to Megatron and Galvatron that our situation is already complicated enough. We really don't need that they make our life more difficult." The space shuttle went silent, absorbing himself in the contemplation of the desolate landscape that the platform had become, until his communication line beeped. "Yes, Skyfire in."

(Ratchet in. I need your help, Sky...)

The latter tensed up, surprised by the alarmist tone of the CMO. It didn't look like Ratchet to panic; even when the wounded mechs were too many to squeeze in his repair bay, he always managed to face his duty without showing his concerns.

"What's going on? Are Megatron and Galvatron fighting in the medical repair area?" he asked, hoping that this wasn't the case.

(What are you talking about? No! Galvatron and Megatron aren't here! Skywarp and Shrapnel have just told me that Starscream was heading towards an unknown direction. He's in a state of shock, suffering a chronic energy loss, and several of his motor circuits are damaged. He must come back to the repair bay immediately! You have to find him right away!)

"Okay, perfectly clear."

Skyfire ended the call without using the usual greetings. He became absorbed in his thought for several minutes, trying to sort all the information while leaving the emotional side, until Dirge brought him back to reality.

"Skyfire?" The Conehead called him, passing a hand before his optics.

"Hmm?" The Transformer looked at Dirge, who was using his thrusters to hover before him. It was then that he seemed to glimpse an explanation. "Neither Megatron nor Galvatron is in the repair bay. In your opinion, where are they now?"

Dirge ran a nervous hand on his conical helmet.

"Where the old Prime usually takes recalcitrant Transformers..."

In the high-security wing of the base

'My head... Galvatron had to knock me out. I have to get up and kill him.'

This was the first thought that crossed the processor of Megatron when he returned online. He powered on his optics, and scanned the room. It took him some time to perceive the outlines, given that several of his visual sensors had to be recalibrated. Searching his memory bank, he discovered who had knocked him out.

"Prime, it looks like you haven't lost your touch. Wait until we meet again; I'm going to rip off your optics!"

"Here, Snow White finally woke up!" sneered a voice that he could easily identify. "And as usual, he promises a lot, but doesn't do much."

"Galvatron! I'll kill you! "Megatron growled. He tried to lift one of his arms, but found he was tied by energy shackles. And worse; his guns had been removed.

He let out a frustrated growl, hating being immobilized this way, and thus exposed to the mockery of his younger brother. And he also hated that voice, so close to his own voice frequency, although more high-pitched and raspy. He glared at the mech who was sitting on the other side of a large metal table, and discovered that Galvatron was staring at him with an intense look in the optics. He was also tied with energy shackles, and his golden cannon wasn't in sight.

"I see that the losers die hard!" Megatron blurted.

Galvatron heaved a sigh of boredom and then whistled: "Same to you! And I would point out that you look like a scrap ready for the pit!"

"Oh, because you think that you are more glorious, twisted paranoid! Your helmet is so cracked that it'll soon break in two!" Megatron laughed, although he knew that, at that point, he wasn't better.

"Twisted paranoid? Me? Is it me who barged on the launch pad, smashing everything in his path, and attacked me like a rabid Sharkticon? You fool!" the purple mech barked, pulling on his handcuffs in the hope of breaking them.

"Fool? Nobody calls me a fool without paying the price, moron! Whoever started this war between us, it was you, and nobody else!" the silver warrior replied, trying also to free his wrists.

"I'll call you as I will, you old fashioned cannon!"

"I'm not old-fashioned, you freak!"

"Old rusty tin can!"

"Moron! Cretin!"

"SILENCE!"

The voice processors of the two brothers went silent for a moment.

"Oh, I forgot that our overgrown lizard was our guardian. What a lovely day!" Galvatron sighed, directing his gaze to a tall figure standing in the darkness of the room. "I'm stuck in an interrogation cell with a fool and a half-wit!"

"Grimlock?" Megatron called out, trying to see the face of the Dinobot.

"Me, Grimlock, I'm here to watch you. Prime doesn't trust you anymore. Prime authorized me to use brute force to neutralize you!"

"Awesome!" Megatron growled, pressing his head against the back of his chair. "And you intend to keep an eye on us until the end of time? Call Prime and this traitor Shockwave, so that they answer for their lies!"

"Me, Grimlock, I get no order from Megatron!"

"I told you, call Prime, you simpleton!" Megatron yelled.

"It will not be necessary, Megatron. We are already here."

The brothers turned their eyes in perfect sync when a familiar voice rang at the entrance of the room.

"Ah, finally! People with a little more conversation than the Dinosaur and my dear brother!" Galvatron scoffed, whereas an amused expression appeared on his face.

The blue optics of Optimus Prime shone of an unusual light as he glared at the younger of the two brothers. "I am not here to make small talk or jokes, but to ensure that you will stop this fratricidal war, which puts us all in danger!" he warned.

"You are wasting your time, Prime!" Megatron replied before laughing bitterly. "It's too late. Free us in an arena, so that we settle the score permanently!"

"You are wrong. I don't know why you came to hate each other, but I will find the answer, even if I have to rummage through your databases or reprogram you!" Optimus Prime replied coldly before leaning over his former enemy. "And I know who can help me!"

This time, the two brothers kept silent, each one trying to decipher the meaning of this threat on the masked face of Optimus Prime. Then, the truck stood up and activated his comm.-link.

(Rodimus, in. Yes, Optimus?)

"Please, bring me the telepath, as quickly as possible."

Repair Bay # 32

"I should have checked the condition of this damned Seeker twice!" Ratchet muttered, pulling a little strongly on a cable from Skywarp's foot. "I should have known better; Starscream is really a traitor to the core."

"Hugh! Hey, that hurts!" the black and purple Seeker complained, his optics flashing fiercely.

"Stop complaining and wriggling like a worm!" the CMO snapped, "I'll end up cutting a good cable if you continue!"

"But I'm not wriggling! And I'm not a worm! And you've already cut..." Ratchet glared with such a look that Skywarp renounced to continue his sentence.

The doctor concentrated on repairs again, while the Seeker became absorbed in observing the opposite wall. Ratchet was no longer pulling harshly on his cables, proof that he had calmed down; but the Seeker understood that he wasn't to be tickled after what Starscream had done. This relative calm didn't last long when Blitzwing appeared, carrying Astrotrain behind him. The doctor choked with anger when he saw the condition of the two Triple Changers.

"I warn you, Decepticons, this place is not a medbay dedicated to Decepticreeps, where you can come to repair after you played one of your sick games!" he yelled, pulling on a cable of Skywarp's foot.

The Seeker hid his face in his hands to hide his pain.

"Yeah, Ratchet, I love you too! And I suppose you already have Megatron and Galvatron in the place, and that you're mad because the two psychos has gotten on your nerves! But you know, we're all on edge today!" Blitzwing declaimed, while readjusting his grip on Astrotrain, who began to lose consciousness.

"What are you talking about? There is neither Galvatron nor Megatron here. Besides, Megatron is still unaware that his brother is alive!" The CMO retorted, standing on his feet. "Why do you say they should be here?"

"You're not aware of what happened two joors ago?"

"What should I be aware of?" Ratchet replied irritably before insisting:" Why did you think they were here? Were they injured?" he asked. "Skyfire insinuated the same thing!"

Blitzwing grimaced, clear proof that he didn't know what to say. "Listen... Let's say they weren't in optimum condition when we left them," he answered evasively.

The expression of Ratchet's face darkened. "Do you want to stay outside, or do you prefer to be allowed to enter in this repair bay? Answer my question, or get repaired somewhere else!" he threatened.

Blitzwing looked at him in disbelief, not knowing if the medic was serious.

"Megs and Galvy began to fight on the launch pad 22, and Astrotrain and I tried to stop them, to no avail. Finally, Optimus and Rody knocked out Megs. Grimmy took care of Galvy. After that, I don't know... Optimus just asked Rodimus and Grimlock to take them where you know. May I come in now?"

Blitzwing jumped as Ratchet hit the wall with his fist. As for Skywarp, he vowed not to make a sound until he could leave the repair bay.

"Primus! Optimus had sworn that he would no longer resort to this practice. Since the destruction of Cybertron and the disappearance of Elita, he has really changed!" Ratchet growled. After long minutes, he finally regained his composure and motioned Blitzwing to enter. Then he activated his comm.-link. "Hook! Wheeljack! Do you hear me? I need you here!"

(Wheeljack in, Ratchet. We'll be there in about a breem. We finished our work on the two Insecticons.)

Western Command Area

"Fact: Rumble is lost in the ruins of the town, and is hurt!" Soundwave replied in his droning tone. "Consequence: I'm not following you!"

"Oh yes? It's high time for you to worry about him, after abandoning us like we were nothing anymore for you!" Frenzy replied before snuggling against the other Cassettes.

Rodimus Prime looked at the four Cassetticons who were entrenched in a corner of the room. He looked back at Soundwave, who displayed an extraordinary restraint despite the situation. The young Prime wondered if, behind that mask and the visor, there were some emotions that were displayed on Soundwave's face. According to the quick report made by Blaster, Soundwave was not the insensible mech he claimed to be. Rodimus was going to use this to his advantage.

However, there was a risk. The Decepticons had shown an extremely emotional side since the beginning of this reactivation program. Megatron, Starscream, Galvatron, and Soundwave now. The first three had created a series of deadly incidents, unable to contain their hate, their rebellion… Rodimus didn't know what to expect with Soundwave. Would he let his emotions take over, blasting his way out the base? 'Optimus Prime is wrong if he thinks he can change such Decepticons. And he's very optimistic to think that Soundwave will accept to help so easily,' he reflected.

However, his duty was not to discuss the validity of Optimus Prime's strategy, but to bring him the telepath as soon as possible. By all means.

"I know what you must be feeling right now, Soundwave, but my orders are clear: Optimus and Shockwave need you. This concerns Megatron," the Transformer explained in a conciliatory tone.

Soundwave's visor flashed a bright red, almost aggressively, while the mech clenched his fists. Rodimus Prime stiffened immediately, standing on high alert. A glance at Blaster, Thundercracker and Blurr assured him that the three Transformers were preparing to deal with any eventuality.

"Answer: unchanged," Soundwave retorted.

"Soundwave, if you refuse to follow me, I'll have to arrest you and bring you to Optimus by force. But..." Rodimus insisted much on the last word.

"But?"

"If you cooperate, I will ask Prowl to launch a rescue mission to exfiltrate Rumble from the city. I'm sure that Blaster, Blurr and Thundercracker here will be happy to help."

Rodimus Prime felt his tension down a little when the three Transformers - including the former Decepticon - nodded their heads in approval. Then a heavy silence fell; everything now depended on the decision of Soundwave.

"I follow you if you launch the rescue mission, now!" the blue Jet finally replied, abandoning his droning tone.

"It's okay with me." Rodimus Prime was relieved to finally reach a compromise. He opened his comm.-link, and quickly identified the frequency of the tactician.

(Prowl in. What can I do for you, Rodimus?)

"Prowl, one of Soundwave's Cassetticons is definitely in distress in the ruins of Tokyo. He must be evacuated in emergency."

Somewhere in the base

Finding Starscream had been a child's play. The little information that Ratchet had given him about Starscream's health condition had reinforced his theory; Starscream had gone in search of Megatron to find solace with him. Skyfire had first come to the repair area # 32, without entering it and from there, he had taken the path of Megatron's quarters. In less than an hour, having scrutinized the slightest corridor, he finally saw the silhouette of the mech he sought. Starscream was walking with difficulty, and had to lean against the wall to keep from falling. It wouldn't be complicated to bring him on his sickbed.

It was without fear that Skyfire approached the Seeker. He put a large hand on one of the red shoulder vents of the mech who had once been his friend. And who had attempted to deactivate him some years ago.

"Take your hands off me!" the Seeker barked. He gasped when he realized who it was. "Skyfire!"

The shuttle nodded to his name.

"You shouldn't be here, Starscream. Ratchet asked me to bring you back to the repair bay."

"No, I don't want to. Not now... I have to talk with Megatron first!" the Seeker gasped, trying to turn around to chase the hand of Skyfire.

The expression of the giant robot darkened when he heard the name of his rival.

"I can't understand why you always turn to him. He destroyed your hopes and twisted your personality. He only hurts you, but still, you are completely dependent on him. What do you expect of him exactly? More torture?" he growled, tightening his grip on Starscream's shoulder. "A twisted and unhealthy relationship, like the one you've been locked up for thousands of meta-cycles?"

"Please, let me go!" Starscream begged, trying to push away his hand, "In the name of our old friendship, let me go!"

The Seeker uttered another cry, of pain this time, when the hand violently compressed his shoulder.

"Don't speak of what no longer exists! I understood that our friendship meant nothing for you when you shot me, in cold blood, to satisfy your dear Megatron!" Skyfire retorted, continuing to tighten his grip on Starscream's shoulder.

He knew he was hurting the Seeker, and worse than that, a dark part of him enjoyed the idea.

"Skyfire! I beg you, stop! It hurts! Skyfire!"

The cries of the Seeker didn't encourage him to stop. Not immediately. He even thought that he stood a chance to punish Starscream for the destruction of their friendship. Then he changed his mind; he had never been the kind of cruel mech who reveled in the pain of others. He wouldn't become one of that kind today, even if Starscream's betrayal still hurt.

He freed the Seeker, letting him lean against the wall.

"Why?" Starscream asked, in shock.

"Because you deserve it," Skyfire replied. "Now, listen to me: Megatron is not in his quarters, but he's in detention in the high security wing of this headquarters."

"What? But why?"

"He attacked Galvatron, and the two brothers almost killed each other. Optimus Prime ordered to lock them away for whatever reason."

The optics of the Seeker flashed with an insane gleam. "I have to go there, Skyfire! Tell me where they are!"

"No, I won't let you go anywhere in this sorry condition! I'll bring you back to Ratchet!" Skyfire replied, trying to catch again the Seeker.

Starscream pushed the large hand that threatened to catch him, which exhausted him a little more.

"Don't you understand? If I am in this sorry condition, as you say, it's because of them both! I must know the truth!" he cried desperately.

West area, Command room

"Here! You can see Rumble escaping from the western zone of the base, then crossing the bridge and finally walking to Ginza area," Prowl explained, pointing to the small shape of the Cassette on the recording. "Then, about two Joors ago, we picked a series of explosions between Ginza and Asakusa. The calm has returned for now, but it's very likely that Rumble is the cause of this."

"Is there a conclusive evidence of his presence on the field?" Thundercracker asked.

"No, not for now. I deployed the twins; I think we should get some updates quickly."


Outside the base

(Sunny, you hear me?)

"Yes, Prowl. Side and I took a position in the 3EQ area, not far from the Sakurabashi Bridge," the Lamborghini said. "And guess what: I think we've found your 'bot!"

(Are you sure?)

"Side saw something small and metallic moving to the other side of the river. Didn't you, Side?" Sunstreaker turned to his brother and grimaced when he didn't get an answer. "Hey, Side! I'm talking to you!" Sunstreaker growled, elbowing the red Lamborghini.

"Shut up, Sunny!" Sideswipe replied, adjusting his binoculars. "I think our little punk is up to something... and he isn't alone!"

O

"The way is clear. Let's go!"

Rumble greeted with a certain joy Nerte's injunction, and just landed behind her. The nearly two-hour break had enabled him to fix his damaged leg, more or less. He didn't regret the time spent on the repairs; the ground was rather impractical. The streets were littered with debris of buildings or cars, and in some place, walls of rubbles blocked the way.

Still, they kept a good pace, rapidly progressing until a laser shot torched a truck. Nerte jumped on the hood of a car and hid behind it just before other shots rained around her. Rumble, realizing that he couldn't do so without being shot to death, turned into a cassette. His small size allowed him to slide and bounce on the hood until he fell beside Nerte. He then returned to his robot mode with the characteristic sound of transformation.

"Well done!" Nerte congratulated. She then pointed to the direction of the river; "We just have to repeat the move several times, and we will finally be safe!" she assured.

"What are we waiting for?"

Nerte nodded, then jumped from her hiding place and hid behind another car. She landed on the ground when a sharp tremor shook the whole neighborhood.

"What was that? An earthquake?" Rumble shrieked as he ran beside her.

He got a first answer when a furrow dug the roadway leading to the bridge. In a deafening roar, the road split in two, pushing the debris of the cars and buildings towards the river.

"Be careful!" Nerte yelled, while the car behind which they had taken shelter began to slide towards the banks. She grabbed Rumble by a wrist and pulled him back. The small Transformer didn't try to resist, and followed her as she ran towards the ruins, putting some distance with the bridge.

"Have they discovered us? The snipers! They'll shoot us!" Rumble squeaked.

"No, this is something else. Look behind; we have a bigger problem than the snipers!" Nerte replied, running as fast as possible.

Worried about her response, Rumble glanced over his shoulder and saw that the bridge had collapsed. With a mechanical roar, a giant four-legged robot emerged from the waters of the river, its upper body towering at least over fifty meters. Or perhaps more…


Forward Operational Headquarters 0025 of the Earth Resistance Force

Medical Repair Bay # 32

Shrapnel entered discreetly in the workshop, taking advantage of the confusion that began to spread in the medbay. Ratchet was working on Astrotrain's speech processor, while Wheeljack and Hook took care of Skywarp and Blitzwing. Nobody paid attention to him, and it suited him perfectly. He saw that Red Alert was still there and had his back to the door. His antennae quivered and his optics shone more strongly, only proof of the agitation that inhabited him.

He trotted silently to the repair tables, and stopped just behind Red Alert, putting a hand on his wrist. The Transformer jumped under the surprise.

"Shrapnel! What are you doing here?"

"Just checking... checking. Are they going to go well... well?"

Red Alert watched the Insecticon, a little uncomfortable with this proximity, but he finally relaxed.

"Don't worry. I still have to fix some circuits in the abdomen of Kickback, and he will be ready for reactivation. Bombshell is fully prepared."

"Is it dangerous for them... them?"

"No, absolutely not. Their systems need to be boosted by an electromagnetic pulse. This is a technique we master perfectly. "

"I see... see." Shrapnel fell silent, suddenly worried. Then he trotted up to the machine's control panel to which his two comrades were connected.

"This is the computer that controls the reactivation process... process?" he asked.

"Yes..." The emergency vehicle covered him with a suspicious look, and literally jumped when the Insecticon turned around and pointed his gun at him. "What's wrong with you?"

"Whatever... whatever. Start the reactivation process… process!"

"Shrapnel, it's ridiculous!" Red Alert protested. His words choked in his throat when the Insecticon pressed the barrel of his gun against his chest panel.

"No, not at all... at all. Start the reactivation process… process. Now!"

To be continued


Text edited in August 2015